The World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF) has called for stronger angel investor participation to support Nigerian startups.
 
The forum said increased investment was needed to help startups overcome funding challenges and compete globally.
  
The call was made during the World Business Angels Investors Week 2026 in Lagos.
Themed, ‘Entrepreneurship Without Borders: Advancing Partnerships for a Sustainable Future’, Head of Programmes and Trade Missions, World Trade Centre (WTC) Abuja, Goodness Alabi, said internationalisation of startups in Nigeria was an urgent imperative.
He noted that angel investing was the fastest way to achieve this.
  
The challenge, she said, was not a lack of ideas but to scale those ideas beyond the country’s borders.
 
She added that startup funding declined in 2025, dropping by 17 per cent to $333 million, its lowest level since 2019, stressing that Africa’s share of venture capital funding dropped to 11 per cent.
 
She, however, noted that Nigeria remained Africa’s most active startup market despite the decline.
 
According to her, 86 Nigerian startups raised at least $100,000 in 2025, the continent’s highest deal count.
 
Alabi described angel investors as ecosystem builders, specialised knowledge brokers and international connectors.
  
She said cross-border angel investments were increasingly important for market access and strategic partnerships, noting that internationally backed startups were more likely to export products and expand beyond local markets.
  
According to her, angel investors also helped entrepreneurs navigate regulations and global market requirements.
  
She called on stakeholders to leverage diaspora investment, as they have vast resources and networks to make angel investing a reality for small businesses back home.

Besides, Country Director, WBAF Nigeria, Dr Rosaline Amangbo, noted that the conference was held to celebrate Nigeria’s ecosystem and promote financial inclusion.
 
She further added that it would aid in positioning startups to catch the interest of global investors who would help them grow into global businesses.
She urged that technology be put in place to capture the unbanked and help them easily access finance.
 
WBAF Chairman, Baybars Altuntas, said entrepreneurship remained a driver of economic growth.
 
He said stronger ecosystems would improve financial inclusion and expand access to capital, noting that many entrepreneurs globally still faced challenges accessing finance and mentorship.
 
Senior Policy Adviser for Economic Affairs at the Netherlands Consulate General in Lagos, Opeyemi Oriniowo, sought collaboration.
 
Oriniowo said innovation, capital and talent were now global, making partnerships essential and urged African countries to leverage entrepreneurship and integration for investment opportunities.

Director, World Business Angels Investment Forum Nigeria, Wofai Samuel, noted that the event is a strategic international platform designed to connect governments, investors, business leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, development institutions and chambers of commerce in a shared mission to foster innovation, investment and inclusive economic growth. 
  
“I am committed to ensuring that it serves as a catalyst for economic transformation, investment mobilisation and global collaboration. The goal is to create opportunities that delivers real value and this gathering has brought together an extensive array of thought leaders to share their expertise,” she said.